The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) is an annual celebration by Christians internationally. Traditionally it is celebrated from 18 to 25 January—the period between the feasts of St Peter and St Paul—and was first proposed in 1908 by Father Paul Wattson, co-founder of the US-based Graymoor Fransciscan Friars.
This year’s celebration was convened by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso who, together, prepared prayers, reflections, and a common Order of Worship. The theme was, “You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10:27).
Locally, the event was coordinated by the Archdiocesan Catholic Council for Ecumenical Dialogue (ACCED) and held on 19, 20 and 22 January at different venues. Through this event, Mr Gerald Kong, Executive Secretary of ACCED, hoped that participants experienced an intimate love of God that “impels all Christians concretely as joint gospel witnesses to reach out in gratitude for undeserved grace to those in need”.
Bishop Dr Gordon Wong of The Methodist Church in Singapore attended the final prayer service conducted at Bible House. “In a world and era where differences divide and destroy, the Church should celebrate more the things which unite us in Christ and argue less the things which divide. The WPCU is an attempt to do this. I wish it was celebrated and observed by more,” said Bishop Dr Wong.
Personal reflections
~ Terence Chua
I attended WCPU for the first time this year despite being aware of it for some years. Because of the scale and span of the event—international and across denominations—I thought the event was going to be grand, and furnished, perhaps, with an organ introit and processional marches. I was therefore surprised when I walked into the small worship space at Bible House on Armenian Street, with no more than 50 people.
Despite its simplicity, I thought it was befitting. Through the service, I felt I had encountered a “basic” worship, where denominational distinctives were kept secondary, considering the primacy of Christian unity taught by Jesus, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). Through the liturgy, the prayers and songs, I encountered a “common denominator” allowing various denominations to participate seamlessly.
There was also a visible universality and ecumenism. The refreshment of water, common to all, was offered at the welcome. The worship segment was led by a combined team comprising both Catholic and Protestant religious leaders, both male and female.
In today’s prevalent tribalism and divisiveness, I was also particularly struck by the following words of confession: “In our lack of compassion, we no longer see Jesus in those who are different from ourselves.” These words led me to ponder the Church’s history: were not major movements attempts to advocate an aspect of Jesus which was perceived to be lacking in that time? I am thinking of Aquinas’ scholasticism, Luther’s sola fide and Wesley’s holiness movement. Once again, I was led to remember an insight from a wise friend—that unity is not the removal of differences, but an understanding and appreciation of them.